Sept 15, 2024

British music legend Rod Stewart recently made a strong political statement during a concert in Cleveland, Ohio, calling for continued support for Ukraine in the face of Russia’s invasion. Implicitly criticizing former President Donald Trump, the 79-year-old singer urged the US to maintain its aid to Ukraine, describing the Russian assault as “evil” and showcasing images of the destruction caused by the Russian invaders.

In a joint performance with Billy Joel, Stewart made his position unmistakably clear. During a costume change, he reappeared on stage dressed in bright blue pants and shirt, paired with a vivid yellow jacket – colors of the Ukrainian flag. Before a crowd of about 40,000, he declared, “These are the colors of a flag – the flag of Ukraine. There’s an evil war going on in Ukraine. Russia has invaded Ukraine. This song is for Ukraine, for its soldiers. For Zelenskyy.”

Stewart then used the platform to address the upcoming US presidential election, adding, “And whoever is next in the White House – don’t stop helping Ukraine.” He then performed his iconic song “Sailing”, set against a backdrop of images from the ongoing war in Ukraine.

Stewart’s plea for continued US support puts him at odds with Trump, who has yet to offer a clear commitment to aiding Ukraine. While Democratic candidate Kamala Harris has pledged steadfast backing for Ukraine’s war effort, Trump has taken a different stance, claiming he could end the war by persuading Russian President Vladimir Putin to withdraw forces.